VANCOUVER: Fifa President Gianni Infantino reiterated that Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled as football's power-brokers met in Vancouver on Thursday.
Iran's participation at this year's World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.
Infantino, who has repeatedly stated that Iran will be at the World Cup, underscored that stance at the start of his address to delegates as Fifa's 76th Congress got under way in western Canada.
"Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the Fifa World Cup 2026," Infantino said. "And of course, Iran will play (in) the United States of America."
Infantino's remarks drew swift support from close ally US President Donald Trump, who told reporters in the Oval Office he was "OK" with Iran's participation.
"Well, if Gianni said it, I'm OK," Trump said. "I think let 'em play."
Iranian officials had floated the idea of shifting their group games from the United States to Mexico, but that proposal had already been nixed by Infantino.
In a further twist last week, Italy-born US special envoy Paolo Zampolli was reported to have floated the idea of Italy taking Iran's World Cup place.
The US government later distanced themselves from that proposal, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Iran's footballers would be welcome.
But the tension surrounding Iran's World Cup participation rumbled into the build-up to Thursday's summit.
Iran's delegation was the only absentee from the 211-member congress as Thursday's meeting got under way after a clash with Canadian border officials earlier this week.
Officials from the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) abruptly left Canada after landing in Toronto, abandoning their onward trip to Vancouver.
Iranian media said FFIRI president Mehdi Taj — a former member of Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — and two colleagues flew home after being "insulted" by Canadian immigration officers.
Canada, which designated the IRGC a terrorist organisation in 2024, said Wednesday that individuals linked to the force were "inadmissible."
Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
FIFA TO REVIEW TICKET STRATEGY
Fifa said on Thursday it will review its ticketing strategy for the 2030 World Cup following anger over skyrocketing prices for the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the Fifa Congress in Vancouver, secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom said high ticket prices for this year's tournament reflected "the reality of the market in North America."
"I will always have understanding for fans and their opinions, but I think there are quite a wide array of ticket prices — some are cheap, some are more expensive," he said.
"But of course, you know, we listen, we take into the account the comments, and of course, as for every World Cup, we will review and see how we do it for the next one," Grafstrom added.
Fifa has faced searing criticism over soaring ticket prices for this year's World Cup, with fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) branding the pricing structure "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal" of fans.
FSE last month filed a lawsuit with the European Commission targeting Fifa over "excessive ticket prices" for the tournament.
Infantino insists ticket prices are simply a consequence of the huge demand.
"In the US in particular there is this thing called dynamic pricing, meaning the prices will go up or down", depending on the match in question, Infantino has said.
Fifa's own ticket resale exchange this week showed four tickets on offer for the July 19 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium for an eye-watering $2 million apiece, according to reports.
Other resale platforms commonly show tickets for the World Cup final costing tens of thousands of dollars.
Asked on Thursday if he was concerned that anger over ticket prices would harm the legacy of the 2026 World Cup, Grafstrom pointed out that revenues from the World Cup — estimated to generate up to $13 billion — would be pumped back into football.
"I think, you know, the legacy is also what we'll be able to do with the money that it generates," Grafstrom said.
"This is a true legacy through the (Fifa) Forward programme and in order to really develop the game of football in our member associations, and this will have a true impact." — AFP
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